GL: Fw: Illinois River

[John Esch]

>>>The tugs/tows, we found, would not respond on either channel 13
>>>or 16 unless they felt there was a good reason to respond.  In other 
>>>words,
>>>as you approached them you had to figure out which side pass on or to be
>>>passed on.  If there was a problem with your decision, the tug might 
>>>respond
>>>to repeated VHF hails and say your decision was OK with them.  Some
>>>tugs/tows never responded at all to any hail.  This is not quite what I 
>>>had
>>>read or been told about these tugs/tows and was somewhat frustrating. 
>>>And <<
>>>no, I am not a chatterbox on the VHF.<<
>
> A while back someone, I believe Coleen Barger, told me that tows record 
> all VHF transmissions.  Since then, if I can't get a return call I clearly 
> state my intentions (ie Pleasure craft will pass Southbound Tow "John Boy" 
> on the 1.  If I don't know the tows name I state I am passing the 
> Southbound tow at MM xxx and after passing I thank the captain by name (ie 
> Thanks Southbound Tow "John Boy" at MMxxx and Y'All have a nice day.
>
> Usually somewhwere along the way I may get a response like "Oh, you are 
> talking to me.  So, there may be something in this recording business. 
> Or, it may just be an urban myth. Whatever it is it makes me feel better.
>
> Have a great time on the Rivers and watch the current and debris.
>
> John & Cyndi Esch
> "Backward Loopers"
> Fet-Esch,a 48' Chung Hwa Seamaster
> Currently lying North Point Marina, Winthrop Harbor, IL
> on Beautiful Lake Michigan/Wisconsin border
> www.Fet-Esch.com